Scottsdale is celebrating 50 years of sister city status with Alamos, Mexico, this year with an art exhibit at the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix.
Alamos, Sonora, is a Mexican " Pueblo Magico," or magical town, small town known for its history and culture, located about 600 miles south of Scottsdale. The two cities have shared sister city status since 1969.
“Scottsdale and Alamos were the very first Sonora and Arizona cities to become sister cities," said Max Rumbaugh, a past president of the Scottsdale Sister Cities Association.
As part of their 50th anniversary celebration this year, 11 artists from Alamos have their work on display at the Mexican Consulate in Phoenix. Rumbaugh says it's the second phase in a two-part cultural exchange.
"In phase one we brought American music to Alamos" for a jazz festival in March, he said.
The cultural exchanges are part of their mission to build connections and understanding between people in both countries, he said. Sister cities focus on building friendships by getting to know each others' culture, language and people.
"The biggest function is to build better relationships between people to people contact," he said, which helps break stereotypes about other countries. "And that’s what’s really exciting. That’s what’s really exciting.”
The Alamos art exhibit will be open to visitors Monday through Wednesday, April 22-24, from from 2-4 p.m.
